Communication cables with illumination

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for designing, implementing, and/or using communication cables comprising a leaky feeder structure, which may be configurable for homogeneous distribution of data signals. An example communication cable may comprise a core conductor, an insulation shield surrounding the core conductor, an outer conductor around the insulation shield and having one or more apertures arranged along its length, and a jacket at least partly covering the outer conductor. The communication cable may also comprise an illumination arrangement which may be arranged at least along sections of the length of the cable. The illumination arrangement may comprise a plurality of light emitting units.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/062,956, filed on Oct. 5, 2020, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/430,049, filed on Jun. 3, 2017,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/822,751,filed on Nov. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/206,952, filed on Jul. 11, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,580, filed onNov. 7, 2014, which in turn claims right of priority to and the filingdate benefit of European (EP) Patent Application No. 13191853.4, filedon Nov. 7, 2013. Each of these applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to communications. In particular, variousembodiments in accordance with the present disclosure relate tocommunication cables with leaky feeder structures for distribution ofdata signals, such as radio data signals for mobile communication, andto systems for distribution of data signals and for illumination; andmethods for implementing and/or using such cables and/or systems.

BACKGROUND

Existing methods and systems for distribution of signals viacommunication cables can be costly, cumbersome and inefficient. Forexample, leaky feeders may be used in conjunction with variouscommunication technologies and/or solutions. Typically, leaky feedersmay be coaxial cables comprising an inner conductor surrounded by aninsulation layer, an outer conductor arranged over the insulation shieldand a jacket enclosing the outer conductor. The outer conductor maycomprise a plurality of slots, gaps or other apertures along its lengthsuch that the coaxial cable emits and receives radio waves, especiallyvery high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) waves, or wavesof mobile telecommunication systems, such as like wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) orLong-Term Evolution (LTE), along its length. Leaky feeders may be usedas radiating cables or antennas in a variety of applications, forexample for underground communication, in aircraft systems, forin-building communication, in mobile communication and many others. In aprevious use scenario, leaky feeders were used as distributed apertureantennas for a multi-user wireless communication system. The aperturesof the leaky feeders may allow radiated energy to leak from the antennaand form low-power, localized electric fields that can couple receiversto the antenna. The multiple electric fields may ensure that theelectric field strength is distributed throughout the communicationsystem.

The leaky feeders may be installed together with other wiring bundles inexisting harness channels or just within the ceiling or the floor of aroom or vehicle. Attention has to be paid that the signal of the leakyfeeder is not shielded by structures, which would influence thecommunication system. Thus the leaky feeders often are installed inexposed, visible areas, which interfere with styling and optical designof the room or vehicle. In another use scenario, a communication systemuses a leaky optical fiber for optical communication. The system workedas a light communication device. Instead of radio signals, data istransmitted by light of a light emitting unit (e.g., laser diodes orlight emitting diodes). The light is modulated by a signal controller inaccordance with data to be transmitted. The light signal data then istransferred by a leaky optical fiber. Light receiving units receive anddemodulate the light and transmit the resulting data to a network. Thelight of the light emitting unit is only used for modulating the data tobe transferred.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present disclosureas set forth in the remainder of the present application with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system and/or method is provided for communication cables withillumination, substantially as shown in and/or described in connectionwith at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in theclaims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentdisclosure, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof,will be more fully understood from the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments,with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication cable configured according to a firstexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication cable configured according to asecond example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication cable configured according to a thirdexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a communication cable configured according to afourth example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As utilized herein the terms “circuits” and “circuitry” refer tophysical electronic components (“hardware”) and any software and/orfirmware (“code”) which may configure the hardware, be executed by thehardware, and or otherwise be associated with the hardware. As usedherein, for example, a particular processor and memory may comprise afirst “circuit” when executing a first plurality of lines of code andmay comprise a second “circuit” when executing a second plurality oflines of code. As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of theitems in the list joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” meansany element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words,“x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y.” As another example, “x, y,and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x,y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means“one or more of x, y and z.” As utilized herein, the terms “block” and“module” refer to functions than can be performed by one or morecircuits. As utilized herein, the term “example” means serving as anon-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, theterms “for example” and “e.g.,” introduce a list of one or morenon-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As utilized herein,circuitry is “operable” to perform a function whenever the circuitrycomprises the necessary hardware and code (if any is necessary) toperform the function, regardless of whether performance of the functionis disabled, or not enabled, by some user-configurable setting.

Certain embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure may befound in methods and/or systems for communication cables withillumination, as described in the following in more detail withreference to the attached figures.

In various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, acommunication cable may be provided which may serve multiple purposes,reduce the overall installation effort and costs, and save installationspace, while also comprising a simple structure.

In an example embodiment, a communication cable for distribution of datasignals, in particular for homogeneous distribution of radio datasignals, may comprise a core conductor, an insulation shield, an outerconductor with a plurality of apertures basically along its full length,and a jacket. The communication cable may be designed as a leaky feederstructure, wherein the apertures of the outer conductor may serve forthe distribution of the data signals. An illumination arrangement may bearranged at least along sections of a length of the cable, for examplealong the bigger part or even the full length of the cable. Accordingly,apart from the basic function of distributing data signals, thecommunication cable may also perform or support other functions—e.g., asa design element, an aid for marking foot paths, emergency exits or thelike, for the lighting of rooms, tunnels, aircrafts, etc., for thesurveillance of the communication cable and for other applications.Further, the communication cable may save installation space, becauseonly one installation for both functions is required, and may reduceweight of the wiring necessary to fulfill all these functions.

In an example embodiment, the outer conductor of the communication cablemay comprise additional layers according to specific requirements of thecable. For example, there may be additional layers for isolation, forvisual protection of the outer conductor, and/or for materialseparation. These layers may be designed such that radio waves at leastpartly can transmit through the layers to provide a radiating cable.

In an example embodiment, the communication cable may be used fordistributing radio data signals—e.g., for communication by GSM, 3GPP,PCS, LTE, UMTS, WLAN, CDMA95, CDMA2000 or other wireless communicationsystems. In this regard, the communication cable may comprise metalconductors as the core conductor and the outer conductor as used incoaxial cables for radio data transmission and reception, in particularcopper conductors. The illumination arrangement may also be incorporatedin other coaxial cables comprising a leaky feeder structure.

The illumination arrangement arranged at least along sections of thelength of the communication cable may comprise various differentlayouts. The illumination arrangement may comprise one or more lightunits configured for emitting light. Examples of light units maycomprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), illuminated fiber tubes or fiberstrips, plastic/polymeric optical fibers (POF), fluorescence units,lasers and/or bulbs, or a combination thereof. In some instances, thelight units themselves may be set up by several light emitting elements.In some instances, the light units may comprise different colors. Alsothey may have different sizes as long as they cooperate with the size ofthe leaky feeder structure.

In an example embodiment, a fluorescence unit may be realized by adielectric area in a way that such area is not filled by a hard materialbut by distance-holders defining a free space in between each other,which can be filled with gas for fluorescence purposes. A transparentjacket element may be provided just inside the outer conductor oroutside the outer conductor which prevents the gas from diffusion.Furthermore the distance holders may be used as a cathode and/or ananode of the cable.

In an example embodiment, the illumination arrangement may be located onan outer surface of the jacket. For example, a plurality of light unitsmay be attached on the jacket, such as by an adhesive bonding (e.g.,glue), to achieve that. Attention may be paid not to cover the aperturesof the outer conductor with the light units, however. Further, the lightunits may be LED units, fluorescent elements or other light emittingelements. In addition to the first jacket covering the outer conductor,a second jacket may be provided for covering the illuminationarrangement arranged on the outer surface of the first jacket.

In an example embodiment, the illumination arrangement of thecommunication cable may be powered by an electrical power supplyindependent of the power supply of the leaky feeder structure.Alternatively, the power supply of the leaky feeder structure may beused to energize the illumination arrangement.

In an example embodiment, the illumination arrangement of thecommunication cable may be arranged radially inside the jacket, and thejacket may be transparent or comprise openings at least in regions ofthe illumination arrangement. For example, the illumination arrangementmay be arranged between the jacket and the outer conductor along thelength of the communication cable. The light units of the illuminationarrangement may also be located within the apertures of the outerconductor without fully covering the apertures or the light units may belocated in separate holes in the outer conductor. Further, the lightunits of the illumination arrangement may be arranged on or in an outersurface of the insulation shield, for example next to or betweenapertures in the outer conductor. Accordingly, in such embodiment theillumination arrangement may comprise a plurality of light unitsarranged between the jacket and the insulation shield along the outerconductor and the jacket may be transparent at least in regions of thelight units. The outer conductor may be part of the power supply of thelight units arranged between the jacket and the insulation shield alongthe outer conductor, and in which case no separate power supply for theillumination arrangement is necessary. Thus, the outer conductorcontributes to power the light units of the illumination arrangement.

In an example embodiment, the apertures and the illumination arrangementof the communication cable may be arranged such that radiation andillumination may be emitted in the same spatial direction. This may bedesirable in such instances, for example, where the communication cableis mounted on the ground, the wall and/or the ceiling, so that radiationmay be directed to an open space of the surroundings instead towards theground, wall and/or ceiling for example.

In an example embodiment, the illumination arrangement may comprise aplurality of light units arranged radially inside the insulation shieldalong the core conductor. Further, the insulation shield and the jacketmay be transparent at least in regions of the apertures of the outerconductor and/or in regions of other holes in the outer conductor. Thecore conductor may be part of the power supply of the light unitsarranged radially inside the insulation shield. Thus, the core conductormay contribute to power the light units of the illumination arrangement.

In an example embodiment, a communication cable powering theillumination arrangement may comprise two or more conductors. Forexample, the combination of the leaky feeder structure and theillumination arrangement may be implemented or configured such thatnone, one, or both of the core conductor and outer conductor of theleaky feeder structure may be used to supply power to the illuminationarrangement. In instances where the illumination arrangement is poweredby the conductors of the leaky feeder structure there may be lessinstallation effort and less space may be required within thecommunication cable.

It some instances, various aspects of the example embodiments may becombined. For example, in some implementations there may be light unitson the inside of the jacket and on the inside of the insulation shield.The jacket and/or the insulation shield may have, for example, slightindentations on their inner or outer surfaces to accommodate the lightunits. Also, a second shielding or sleeve between the outer conductorand the jacket can be used for accommodation of the illuminationarrangement, which may be interrupted in areas of the apertures of theouter conductor to allow for proper distribution of the data signals.The sleeve also may be designed as a light guide and serve as anillumination arrangement. Also, the insulation shield may be fabricatedof light guiding material. Light emitted by a light unit may illuminatethe insulation shield and may exit the communication cable via theapertures of the outer conductor and transparent areas in the jacket.

It an example embodiment, the apertures, holes and/or openings in theouter conductor, the jacket and the insulation shield may be designed togenerate a specific illumination pattern. For example, the illuminationpattern may include periodically changing colors or changing colors fromone end to another end of a section of the communication cable or alongthe full length of the cable. The light units may also be arranged infigurative pattern—e.g., in a spiral pattern or arrow pattern around thecommunication cable or the like.

It some instances, the illumination arrangement may be used to find orsurvey the apertures in the outer conductor and help to survey andinspect the leaky feeder structure.

In an example embodiment, a system for distribution of data signals andsimultaneously for illumination according to the present disclosure mayuse a communication cable designed and/or configured in accordance withthe present disclosure—e.g., in accordance with one or more of theexample embodiments described above. With such system the communicationcable can be installed easily, and with less interference with the styleof the environment. Further, the system can provide a helpful use fororientation and attention.

FIGS. 1 to 4 depict communication cables implemented and/or configuredin accordance with various, alternate, example embodiments in accordancewith the present disclosure. Further, while not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, asystem may comprise each of the communication cables shown in thesefigures, and may (the system) comprise suitable circuitry forimplementing various aspects of the present disclosure.

Each of the communication cables shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may comprise acable with a leaky feeder structure. An example leaky feeder structurein accordance with the present disclosure may comprise, for example, acore conductor 1, an insulation shield 2, an outer conductor 3, one ormore apertures 4 (or 4′), and a jacket 5. Further, each of thecommunication cables shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may comprise one or morelight units (e.g., LEDs 6, 6′ and/or a plastic optical fiber 8), for useas an illumination arrangement along the length of the communicationcable.

The core conductor 1 may be suitable (e.g., comprising suitable materialand/or components, and/or be implemented in accordance with a particularsuitable design) to carry signals (e.g., a radio signal), which may beintended, for example, for wireless emission via the communicationcables. The insulation shield 2 may be suitable (e.g., comprisingsuitable material and/or components, and/or be implemented in accordancewith a particular suitable design) for insulation. For example, theinsulation shield 2 may comprise a dielectric material and may, amongother things, be used to provide a desirable geometric arrangement ofthe elements and components of the communication cables while beingenabled to be polarized by an electric field so that radio waves such asthose carried by the core conductor 1 may be radiated through it. Theouter conductor 3 may be suitable (e.g., comprising suitable materialand/or components, and/or be implemented in accordance with a particularsuitable design) for functioning as further shielding and help toisolate the core conductor 1. The jacket 5 may be suitable (e.g.,comprising suitable material and/or components, and/or be implemented inaccordance with a particular suitable design) for at least partlycovering the outer conductor 3. The LEDs 6 or the plastic optical fiber8 may comprise suitable circuitry for generating illumination—e.g.,radiation in the visible spectrum.

An example communication cable with a leaky feeder structure maycomprise a core conductor 1, an insulation shield 2 surrounding the coreconductor 1, an outer conductor 3 around the insulation shield 2 withone or more apertures 4 along its length and the jacket 5 covering theouter conductor 4. The core conductor 1 and the outer conductor 3 may bemade of copper, for example. Alternatively, copper alloys, silver oraluminum may be used. The insulation shield may be made of dielectricmaterial, and may comprise an indentation formation on its inner orouter surface to accommodate the illumination arrangement. Theinsulation shield 2 may comprise a cylindrical shape, but also may haveanother shape—e.g., a triangular, a square or other non-cylindricalshape, which may still ensure the function of the leaky feeder structureand additionally may represent a design element of the illuminatingfunction of the communication cable, for example to create differinglight patterns.

In accordance with some example embodiments, the jacket 5 may comprisesmall indentations (not visible), which may accommodate the light units(e.g., the LEDs 6). For example, the jacket 5 may comprise, for example,a transparent material, at least in the area of the indentations. Thetransparent material may be arranged, for example, as a longitudinaltransparent stripe 7 along the length of the line of light units, asillustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. Thetransparent material area also may include the indentations toaccommodate the LEDs 6. The outer conductor 3 may power the LEDs 6, insome cases.

FIG. 1 illustrates a communication cable configured according to a firstexample embodiment. In this regard, the communication cable shown inFIG. 1 may comprise an example illumination arrangement with light unitsin the form of LEDs 6 positioned on the outer surface of the outerconductor 3. The LEDs 6 may be, for example, arranged longitudinallyalong the length of the cable. The LEDs 6 in the communication cableshown in FIG. 1 may be spaced equidistantly. Nonetheless, the disclosureis not so limited, and other implementations any spacing between theLEDs 6 may be used. The LEDs 6 may be arranged such that theirinterference with the functioning of the apertures 4 may be reducedsignificantly. For example, the line of LEDs 6 may be located on asection of the circumference of the outer conductor 3 which may notcomprise any apertures in the longitudinal direction, while a line ofapertures 4 may run longitudinally along the cable in another section ofthe circumference of the outer conductor 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication cable configured according to asecond example embodiment. In this regard, the communication cable shownin FIG. 2 may comprise an illumination arrangement with light units inform of round (or any arbitrary shape) LEDs 6′ positioned in a corner ofthe apertures 4 of the outer conductor 3. The remaining opening of theapertures 4 may be designed and/or sized to ensure appropriatefunctioning of the leaky feeder structure of the communication cable.The jacket 5 may be transparent. The LEDs 6′ may be powered by the outerconductor 3. In some implementations, the LEDs 6′ may be configured toemit light of different colors. Further, in some implementations, theLEDs 6′ may be alternately positioned in another corner of the apertures4, or also elsewhere in the apertures 4. Thus, the placement of the LEDs6′ maybe arranged to form desirable light patterns for the communicationcable of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication cable configured according to a thirdexample embodiment. In this regard, the communication cable shown inFIG. 3 may comprise an illumination arrangement with a light unit inform of a plastic optical fiber (POF) 8. The plastic optical fiber 8 maybe designed and/or implemented as an inlay in a recess 9 in theinsulation shield 2 running along the length of the communication cable.The outer conductor 3 may comprise an aperture 4′ in the form of a slitalong the length of the outer conductor 3. For example, the aperture 4′may be arranged opposite to (or over) the recess 9 in the insulationshield 2, and covering the plastic optical fiber 8. The aperture 4′ maybe a spiral slit as illustrated, or a straight slit, or any otherdesirable shape. The jacket 5 may be transparent, such as along itslength for example. The plastic optical fiber 8 may be flexible so thatthe communication cable remains flexible and can easily be installedaround corners or the like. Nonetheless, the disclosure is not solimited, and other patterns than a spiral shape may also be used for theplastic optical fiber 8.

FIG. 4 illustrates a communication cable configured according to afourth example embodiment. In this regard, the communication cable shownin FIG. 4 may comprise a leaky feeder structure with inner coreconductor 1, dielectric insulation shield 2, an outer conductor 3 withapertures 4 and a jacket 5. Further, the communication cable shown inFIG. 4 may comprise illumination arrangement represented, for example,by LEDs 6, with the powering of the illumination arrangement being addedon top of the jacket 5 and protected by a second jacket 10, which may becompletely or partially transparent. The jacket 5 (the first jacket) maybe, for example, black to provide some reflection of the light emittedby the LEDs 6. Accordingly, independent production of communication andillumination part may be allowed, because the light units of theillumination arrangement are located on the outer surface of the firstjacket 5 of the communication cable. The second jacket 10 may be used toprotect and fix the illumination arrangement to the outer surface of thefirst jacket 5.

In various example use scenarios, a communication cable according to thepresent disclosure (e.g., any of the communication cables shown in FIGS.1 to 4) may be used in order to detect cable damage. For example, damagemay be detected at a location along the cable where the illuminationdoes not work anymore. Such event or condition (illumination not workingat particular point) may give an indication that the illuminationarrangement and/or the supply conductors are damaged, thereby providinga visible clue to find the damage location on the communication cable.

The radio emission function of communication cable according to thepresent disclosure (e.g., any of the communication cables shown in FIGS.1 to 4) may follow the technical concept of leaky feeders.

In various example use scenarios, a communication cable according to thepresent disclosure (e.g., any of the communication cables shown in FIGS.1 to 4) may be part of a system for the distribution of data signals andfor illumination used in exposed or visible installations of the cable,in particular within closed environments. In some instances, differentlayouts of an illumination arrangement comprising different light units,different patterns of light units or different positions of light units(e.g., as described with respect to each of the communication cablesshown in FIGS. 1 to 4) may be combined within one single communicationcable. Doing so may be desirable as it may offer a system forcommunication and illumination of a large variety of light patternsalong the cable. Further, a system for the distribution of data signalsand for illumination may include a plurality of separately installedcommunication cables and/or the plurality of communication cables maycomprise communication cables of varying designs (corresponding to aplurality of the example communication cables shown in FIGS. 1 to 4). Inother words, in a particular example system, several communicationcables with differing designs may be combined.

While the present disclosure makes reference to certain embodiments, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may bemade to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of thepresent disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it isintended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particularembodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A communication cable configured to distribute datasignals, the communication cable comprising: a core conductor; aninsulation shield; an outer conductor; a jacket; and an illuminationarrangement.
 18. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein theillumination arrangement is powered by at least one of the coreconductor or the outer conductor.
 19. The communication cable of claim1, wherein the illumination arrangement comprises one or more lightunits.
 20. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein the illuminationarrangement comprises one or more of: emitting diodes, illuminated fibertubes, illuminated fiber strips, plastic optical fibers, fluorescenceunits, lasers, and bulbs.
 21. The communication cable of claim 1,wherein the illumination arrangement is arranged radially inside thejacket.
 22. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein the jacketcomprises one or more transparent areas or openings.
 23. Thecommunication cable of claim 1, wherein: the illumination arrangementcomprises one or more light units arranged radially inside theinsulation shield along the core conductor; and the insulation shieldand the jacket are transparent at least in regions of the apertures ofthe outer conductor
 24. The communication cable of claim 23, wherein thecore conductor is operable to power the one or more light units arrangedradially inside the insulation shield.
 25. The communication cable ofclaim 1, wherein the illumination arrangement comprises one or morelight units arranged between the jacket and the insulation shield. 26.The communication cable of claim 25, wherein the outer conductor isoperable to power the one or more light units arranged between thejacket and the insulation shield.
 27. The communication cable of claim1, wherein the illumination arrangement is located on an outer surfaceof the jacket, and a second jacket is arranged over the illuminationarrangement.
 28. The communication cable of claim 1, wherein theinsulation shield comprises light guiding material.
 29. Thecommunication cable of claim 1, wherein the communication cable isconfigured for distribution of radio data signals.
 27. The communicationcable of claim 1, wherein the core conductor and the outer conductor aremetal conductors